Collecting messages from a group chat window that mention a specific user

ABSTRACT

Collecting online group chat messages. The method may include receiving a message associated with an online group chat session between chat participants. The method may also include determining the received message satisfies at least one message collection rule. The method may further include recording the received message to at least one message table based on each chat participant mentioned in the received message. The method may also include determining a first chat participant chooses to open a private chat session with at least one second chat participant. The method may further include identifying recorded messages within the message tables associated with the at least one second chat participant. The method may also include displaying the identified recorded messages in a private chat session sub-window.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of computing, andmore particularly to an online group chat.

BACKGROUND

An online chat may refer to communication over the internet wheremessages are transmitted from a sender to a receiver in real time. Agroup chat session may refer to an online chat between a sender and morethan one receiver. A private chat session may refer to an online chatbetween one sender and at least one receiver that may not be viewable byother users. An online chat session may be text-based, audio-based, orvideo-based. Chat programs, such as Skype® (Skype and all Skype-basedtrademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Skypeand/or its affiliates) and IBM Sametime® (IBM Sametime and all IBMSametime-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registeredtrademarks of International Business Machines Corporation and/or itsaffiliates) may be capable of hosting online chat sessions.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method for collecting a plurality ofonline group chat messages. The method may include receiving a messageassociated with an online group chat session between a plurality of chatparticipants. The method may also include determining the receivedmessage satisfies at least one of a plurality of message collectionrules. The method may further include recording the received message toat least one of a plurality of message tables based on each of theplurality of chat participants mentioned in the received message. Themethod may also include determining a first chat participant within theplurality of chat participants chooses to open a private chat sessionwith at least one second chat participant within the plurality of chatparticipants. The method may further include identifying a plurality ofrecorded messages within the plurality of message tables associated withthe at least one second chat participant. The method may also includedisplaying the plurality of identified recorded messages in a privatechat session sub-window.

According to another embodiment, a computer system for collecting aplurality of online group chat messages. The computer system may includeone or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one ormore computer-readable tangible storage devices, and programinstructions stored on at least one of the one or more storage devicesfor execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at leastone of the one or more memories, whereby the computer system is capableof performing a method. The computer system may include receiving amessage associated with an online group chat session between a pluralityof chat participants. The computer system may also include determiningthe received message satisfies at least one of a plurality of messagecollection rules. The computer system may further include recording thereceived message to at least one of a plurality of message tables basedon each of the plurality of chat participants mentioned in the receivedmessage. The computer system may also include determining a first chatparticipant within the plurality of chat participants chooses to open aprivate chat session with at least one second chat participant withinthe plurality of chat participants. The computer system may furtherinclude identifying a plurality of recorded messages within theplurality of message tables associated with the at least one second chatparticipant. The computer system may also include displaying theplurality of identified recorded messages in a private chat sessionsub-window.

According to yet another embodiment, a computer program product forcollecting a plurality of online group chat messages. The computerprogram product may include one or more computer-readable storagedevices and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or metangible storage devices, the program instructions executable by aprocessor. The computer program product may include program instructionsto receive a message associated with an online group chat sessionbetween a plurality of chat participants. The computer program productmay also include program instructions to determine the received messagesatisfies at least one of a plurality of message collection rules. Thecomputer program product may further include program instructions torecord the received message to at least one of a plurality of messagetables based on each of the plurality of chat participants mentioned inthe received message. The computer program product may also includeprogram instructions to determine a first chat participant within theplurality of chat participants chooses to open a private chat sessionwith at least one second chat participant within the plurality of chatparticipants. The computer program product may further include programinstructions to identify a plurality of recorded messages within theplurality of message tables associated with the at least one second chatparticipant. The computer program product may also include programinstructions to display the plurality of identified recorded messages ina private chat session sub-window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings. The various features of the drawings arenot to scale as the illustrations are for clarity in facilitating oneskilled in the art in understanding the invention in conjunction withthe detailed description.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary networked computer environment, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the components within a chatcollection program, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of the operational steps carried out by aprogram to collect specific chat history data into a chat sub-window, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the steps implemented by a chatcollection program to collect specific chat history data to display in asub-window, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a graphical user interface of agroup chat program, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a chat participant messagetable, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a group chat sub-menu, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a private chat sub-window, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the claimed structures and methods are disclosedherein; however, it can be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely illustrative of the claimed structures and methods that may beembodied in various forms. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theexemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplaryembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the scope of this invention to thoseskilled in the art. In the description, details of well-known featuresand techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresented embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention are related to the field ofcomputing, and more particularly to an online group chat. The followingdescribed exemplary embodiments provide a system, method, and programproduct to, among other things, collect specific user chat history datato present in a private chat sub-window. Therefore, the presentembodiment has the capacity to improve the technical field of an onlinegroup chat by allowing a user's chat history to be gathered anddisplayed within a private chat sub-window so that a private chatconversation between two or more users may include historical chat datafrom the group chat.

As previously described, an online chat may refer to communication overthe internet where messages are transmitted from a sender to a receiverin real time. A group chat session may refer to an online chat between asender and more than one receiver. A private chat session may refer toan online chat between one sender and at least one receiver that may notbe viewable by other users. Chat programs, such as Skype® and IBMSametime® may be capable of hosting online chat sessions, includinggroup chat sessions and private chat sessions.

Chat programs may allow group chat sessions among a large number ofusers. For example, a large company organizational meeting withindividuals located in a number of geographical locations may use a chatprogram to host a meeting in a group chat session. During such largegroup chat sessions, messages directed to individual users may be unseenby the user to which the message was directed and then lost in the chathistory log. For example, if User A sends a message directed to User Bduring an organizational group chat session among 30 users, User B maynot see the message since User B may be preoccupied by an importanttask. When User B observes the most recent chat history, User B realizesa message directed to him was missed. However, User B may be unable tolocate the message from User A due to the number of subsequent messageswithin the chat history log.

Furthermore, a message may be posted to a group chat that precipitatesthe user to begin a private chat session with one or more other users.To start the private chat session, a user may open a new chat window andinvite the desired user or users to the private chat. However, since theprivate chat window is a new chat session, previous user chat historydata may not be included in the private chat window. As such, it may beadvantageous, among other things, to implement a system that allows auser to collect chat history data from a group chat session in order toopen a private chat sub-window that includes the specific user chathistory.

According to one embodiment, when messages are delivered to a group chatsession that are directed to specific users in the group chat session.The messages directed to specific users may be collected and displayedin a private chat session sub-window between the user that sent themessage and the user to which the message was directed. Therefore, achat history log of the public group chat session may be included beforethe commencement of a private chat session between the users tofacilitate adequate context and recollection of earlier chatcommunications between the users.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The following described exemplary embodiments provide a system, method,and program product to collect specific user chat history data topresent in a private chat sub-window. According to at least oneimplementation, the present embodiment may gather messages that mentiona specific user from a group chat session using a specific set ofcollection rules to determine the appropriate messages to gather. Aprivate chat sub-window may then be created to allow a private chatsession between invited users from the group chat session. Additionally,the gathered messages may be inserted into the newly created privatechat sub-window to allow the users to view a chat log of messagesreferencing themselves.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary networked computer environment 100 isdepicted, in accordance with one embodiment. The networked computerenvironment 100 may include client computing device 110A, 110B andserver 120 interconnected via communication network 130. According to atleast one implementation, networked computer environment 100 may includea plurality of client computing devices 110A, 110B, only two of whichare shown for illustrative brevity. Networked computer environment 100may also include a plurality of servers 120, only one of which is shownfor illustrative brevity.

Communication network 130 may include various types of communicationnetworks, such as a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), atelecommunication network, a wireless network, a public switched networkand/or a satellite network. It may be appreciated that FIG. 1 providesonly an illustration of one implementation and does not imply anylimitations with regard to the environments in which differentembodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depictedenvironments may be made based on design and implementationrequirements.

Client computing device 110A, 110B may be, for example, a mobile device,a telephone, a personal digital assistant, a netbook, a laptop computer,a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or any type of computing devicecapable of running a program and accessing a network. Client computingdevice 110A, 110B may be capable of hosting group chat program 112A,112B, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C, and communicating withserver 120 via network 130, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. As will be discussed with reference to FIG. 9, clientcomputing device 110A, 110B may include internal components 902 a andexternal components 904 a, respectively.

Server computer 120 may be a laptop computer, netbook computer, personalcomputer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmable electronic devicecapable of hosting chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C andcommunicating with client computing device 110A, 110B via network 130,in accordance with embodiments of the invention. As will be discussedwith reference to FIG. 9, server computer 120 may include internalcomponents 902 b and external components 904 b, respectively. Server 120may also operate in a cloud computing service model, such as Software asa Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as aService (IaaS). Server 120 may also be located in a cloud computingdeployment model, such as a private cloud, community cloud, publiccloud, or hybrid cloud.

According to the present embodiment, group chat program 112A, 112B, suchas Skype® and IBM Sametime®, may be a program capable of allowing usersto send and receive messages through a graphical user interface.Messages sent through group chat program 112A, 112B may include text,images, and video. Messages sent and received by users using group chatprogram 112A, 112B may be posted to a community chat window.

Chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may be a program capable ofcollecting messages within a community chat window, creating a privatechat sub-window, inviting group chat participants to a private chat, andpopulating the private chat sub-window with messages from a public groupchat that mentions users invited to the private chat. Chat collectionprogram 114A, 114B, 114C is explained in further detail below withrespect to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a function block diagram 200 of the componentswithin a chat collection program is depicted, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Chat collection program 114A, 114B,114C may implement message collection module 202, message collectionrules 204, message tables 206, and sub-window creation module 208 tocollect messages from a group chat window and populate a private chatsub-window with the collected messages.

According to the present embodiment, message collection rules 204 may bea set of preconfigured rules or protocols used to collect and categorizemessages when a message is submitted into a group chat. For example,when User A submits a message to group chat program 112A, 112B, messagecollection rules 204 may be implemented to analyze the submitted messageand collect and categorize the message based on other users mentionedwithin the message.

Message collection module 202 may be program capable of collecting usermessages within a group chat based on message collection rules 204.Message collection module 202 may save the collected messages to messagetables 206.

Message tables 206 may be data structures utilized to store messagescollected by message collection rules 204. The messages stored withinmessage tables 206 may be stored based on category, such as userreferenced within message or user sending the message, or by thespecific rule within message collection rules 204 used to collect eachmessage. Furthermore, message tables 206 may include data categorizedinto sub-tables based on preconfigured criteria, such as timestamp orthe group chat participants.

Sub-window creation module 208 may be a module that creates a privatechat session sub-window within group chat program 112A, 112B between twoor more group chat session participants. Sub-window creation module 208may analyze message tables 206 to determine particular messages todisplay in the private chat session sub-window based on user selections.Sub-window creation module 208 may then populate the private chatsession window with the determined messages from message tables 206.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart 300 of the operational stepscarried out by a program to collect specific chat history data into achat sub-window is depicted, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. At 302, a chat message may be received by group chatprogram 112A, 112B. During the course of a group chat session,participants may submit chat messages to group chat program 112A, 112B.For example, User A may be participating in a Skype® chat session withother department members. During the course of the chat session, User Amay submit a message to the group chat session by using the graphicaluser interface associated with group chat program 112A, 112B.

Then at 304, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C utilizing chatcollection module 202 may determine if a message collection rule issatisfied. According to one implementation, the method may continuealong operational flowchart 300, if a preconfigured message collectionrule within message collection rules 204 is satisfied. If chatcollection program 114A, 114B, 114C determines a message collection rulewithin message collection rules 204 is satisfied (step 304, “YES”branch), chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may continue to step306 to record the received message to a message table. If chatcollection program 114A, 114B, 114C determines a message collection rulewithin message collection rules 204 is not satisfied (step 304, “NO”branch), chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may continue to step308 to display the received message to the group chat window.

As previously described, message collection rules 204 may be a set ofpreconfigured rules or protocols used to collect and categorize messageswhen a message is submitted into a group chat. Message collection rules204 may be used categorize received group chat messages when thereceived group chat message satisfies preconfigured criteria. Forexample, a user preconfigured message collection rule within messagecollection rules 204 may specify that a message may be captured andcategorized whenever a user screen name or a user's actual given name isidentified in a group chat message. Therefore, if User A submits a groupchat message that includes the text “@userB, how are you today?” messagecollection module 202 may determine that a message collection rulewithin message collection rules 204 has been satisfied since the groupchat message from User A references another user's screen name.

Next at 306, the received chat message may be recorded by chatcollection program 114A, 114B, 114C. Chat collection program 114A, 114B,114C may utilize message collection module 202 to record the receivedgroup chat message to a message table within message tables 206 based onmessage collection rules 204. As previously described, message tables206 may be a data structure used to store messages based on categoriesor collected rules. For example, if one or more rules within messagecollection rules 204 correspond to collecting message that mention UserA's actual given name or User A's user screen name, then a message tablewithin message tables 206 may correspond to User A. Therefore, whenevera rule relating to User A's actual given name or User A's user screenname is satisfied, message collection module 202 may save the group chatmessage satisfying the applicable rule to the message tablecorresponding to User A.

Then at 308, group chat program 112A, 112B may display the receivedgroup chat message in a group chat window. A received group chat messagemay be displayed in a group chat window on a graphical user interfaceassociated with group chat program 112A, 112B once chat collectionprogram 114A, 114B, 114C either determines the received group chatmessage does not satisfy a message collection rule within messagecollection rules 204 or the received group chat message does satisfy amessage collection rule within message collection rules 204 and thereceived group chat message has been recorded to message tables 206accordingly. For example, during a Skype® chat session, User A may posta group chat message containing the text, “Hello, everyone!” If thegroup chat message posted by User A does not satisfy any messagecollection rule within message collection rules 204, chat collectionprogram 114A, 114B, 114C may not record the group chat message tomessage tables 206 and display the chat message to the group chat windowwithin the graphical user interface associated the Skype® chat session.

Next at 310, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may determine if aprivate chat session sub-window should be opened. According to oneimplementation, the method may continue along operational flowchart 300,if a private chat sub-window should be opened within group chat program112A, 112B. If chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C determines aprivate chat sub-window should be opened (step 310, “YES” branch), chatcollection program 114A, 114B, 114C may continue to step 312 to identifyapplicable messages recorded to message tables 206 to display in thenewly created private chat sub-window. If chat collection program 114A,114B, 114C determines a private chat sub-window should not be opened(step 310, “NO” branch), chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C mayreturn to step 302 to receive messages submitted to the group chatsession from chat participants.

Chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may determine that a privatechat sub-window should be opened when a user selects a menu optionpreconfigured to group chat program 112A, 112B. For example, User A maybe in a group chat session with User B and User C. If User A wishes toopen a private chat sub-window with User B that includes the chatmessages submitted to the group chat session by User B where User A wasmentioned, User A may right click a computer mouse to open a sub-menuand select an option titled, “Create sub window.” Furthermore, chatcollection program 114A, 114B, 114C may automatically invite selectedchat participants to the private chat session once the private chatsub-window is created based on the group chat participants selected bythe user choosing to open the private chat sub-window.

Then at 312, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may identify theappropriate recorded messages within message tables 206 to populate intoa private chat sub-window created by sub-window creation module 208.When chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C determines a private chatsub-window should be opened, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114Cmay first create a private chat session sub-window using sub-windowcreation module 208 then identify the recorded messages within messagetables 206 that should be displayed within the newly created privatechat sub-window. Chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may identifythe appropriate message within message tables 206 to display in thenewly created private chat sub-window based on user selections. Forexample, when choosing to open a private chat sub-window, User A mayselect User B's screen name from the list of chat participants. By thenselecting the “Create sub window” option, chat collection program 114A,114B, 114C may determine that User A wishes to begin a private chatsession with User B and display all previous messages from User B thatmention User A in the private chat sub-window. Therefore, chatcollection program 114A, 114B, 114C automatically invite User B to theprivate chat session and may then identify the appropriate messageswithin message tables 206 that correspond to messages sent from User Bthat mention User A, such as messages where User B used User A's userscreen name or User A's actual given name. Additionally, chat collectionprogram 114A, 114B, 114C may identify messages within message tables 206that correspond to multiple users within the group chat session todisplay in a private chat session. For example, User A may wish to begina private chat session with User B and User C. Therefore, chatcollection program 114A, 114B, 114C may automatically invite User B andUser C to a private chat session and then identify messages withinmessage tables 206 from User B and User C that include mentions to UserA to display within the newly created private chat session sub-window.

Next at 314, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may display theidentified messages within the newly created private chat sub-window.Once chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C has identified messageswithin message tables 206 that correspond to the selected group chatparticipants, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may create a newprivate chat sub-window within group chat program 112A, 112B, add theuser selected group chat participants to the private chat session, andpopulate the private chat sub-window with the identified messages frommessage tables 206. For example, User A and User B may be twoparticipants within a group chat session that includes 10 other chatparticipants. User A may choose to begin a private chat session withUser B. Chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may identify messagessubmitted by User B to the group chat session that mention User A andare recorded within message tables 206. Chat collection program 114A,114B, 114C may then create a private chat sub-window with User A andUser B as the only participants and display the messages submitted tothe group chat session where User B made mention of User A within thetext of the group chat message by either using User A's screen name orUser A's actual given name. Furthermore, chat collection program 114A,114B, 114C may be preconfigured to display identified messages that makemention to all private chat participants. For example, in the previoushypothetical, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may display allidentified messages where User B made a mention to User A in the text ofthe group chat message and all identified messages where User A made amention to User B in the text of the group chat message. Therefore, amore detailed conversation between each private chat participant may bedisplayed within the private chat session. Additionally, chat collectionprogram 114A, 114B, 114C may categorize the identified messagesaccording to metadata, such as timestamp, user mentioned in message, oruser sending the message, associated with each identified message. Forexample, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may display eachidentified message in timestamp order when populating the identifiedmessages into a private chat sub-window.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a functional block diagram 400 of the stepsimplemented by a chat collection program to collect specific chathistory data to display in a sub-window is depicted, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. At 402, when a group chatmessage is received by message collection module 202, message collectionmodule 202 may determine if the received message satisfies a rule withinmessage collection rules 204. At 404, if the received message doessatisfy a message collection rule within message collection rules 204,the received message may be recorded within message tables 206. At 406,when a user chooses to open a private chat sub-window, sub-windowcreation module 208 may extract the applicable messages within messagetables 206 to display within the private chat sub-window.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a functional block diagram 500 of a graphicaluser interface of a group chat program is depicted, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. A user may interact with groupchat program 112A, 112B through a graphical user interface. Thegraphical user interface of group chat program 112A, 112B may includegroup chat participant log window 502, group chat participant profilewindow 504, and group chat window 506. Group chat participant log window502 may display each active participant logged into the group chatsession. Group chat participant profile window 504 may include detailedprofile information, such as screen name, job title, contactinformation, geographic location, and chat availability status,associated with a chat participant. Group chat window 506 may include anactive log of all messages sent by chat participants as listed inparticipant log window 502. The messages included in group chat window506 may be displayed in chronological order according to the time eachmessage was submitted by group chat participants. Messages within groupchat window 506 may include mentions, such as user screen names oractual user given names, to other users participating in the group chatsession.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a functional block diagram 600 of a chatparticipant message table, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. When messages are received by group chat program112A, 112B, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may determinewhether the received message satisfies message collection rules 204. Forexample, a message collection rule within message collection rules 204may require all received messages containing a group chat participant'sscreen name, such as @Part1, be recorded in message tables 206.Therefore, whenever a received message contains @Part1, Participant 1'sscreen name, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C may implementmessage collection module 202 to record the received messages toParticipant 1 Message Table 602 within message tables 206. Furthermore,Participant 1 Message Table 602 may be further organized into sub-tablescorresponding to the group chat participant that sent the message. Forexample, Participant 2 Table 604, Participant 3 Table 606, andParticipant 4 Table 608 may display messages sent my Participant 2,Participant 3, and Participant 4, respectively, to the group chatsession that contained Participant 1's screen name, @Part1.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a functional block diagram 700 of a group chatsub-menu is depicted, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. During the course of a group chat session on group chatprogram 112A, 112B, a user may wish to open a private chat sessionsub-window with another user that includes historical group chatmessages from the private chat users that mention other private chatusers. For example, with respect to the example scenario described inFIG. 5 and FIG. 6, Participant 1 may wish to open a private chat sessionwith Participant 2. If Participant 1 selects Participant 2's user nameon participant log window 502, sub-menu 702 may be displayed thatincludes options from which Participant 1 may select, such as option“Create sub window” 704. If Participant 1 selects option “Create subwindow” 704 from sub-menu 702, chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114Cmay utilize sub-window creation module 208 to create a private chatsession within a private chat sub-window with Participant 2. Similarly,Participant 1 may choose multiple group chat participants withinparticipant log window 502 and create a private chat session with theselected group chat participants.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a functional block diagram 800 of a privatechat sub-window is depicted, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Continuing the example described in FIG. 5, FIG. 6,and FIG. 7, if a group chat participant, such as Participant 1, choosesto open a private chat sub-window, chat collection program 114A, 114B,114C may use sub-window creation module 208 to create a private chatsub-window. The private chat sub-window may include private chatparticipant log 802, private chat participant profile window 804, andprivate chat window 806. Private chat participant log 802 may include alist of all participants to the private chat. Similar to group chatparticipant profile window 504, private chat participant profile window804 may include detailed profile information, such as screen name, jobtitle, contact information, geographic location, and chat availabilitystatus, associated with a private chat participant. Private chat window806 may include private chat session messages sent between participantsof the private chat session. Private chat window 806 may also includemessages within message tables 206 that mention applicable participantsof the private chat session. For example, if Participant 1 choose tobegin a private chat session with Participant 2, chat collection program114A, 114B, 114C may open a private chat sub-window using sub-windowcreation module 208 and display messages from message tables 206 whereParticipant 2 mentioned Participant 1 by Participant 1's user screenname, @Part1.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram 900 of internal and external components ofcomputer 110A, 110B and server 120 depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated thatFIG. 9 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does notimply any limitations with regard to the environments in which differentembodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depictedenvironments may be made based on design and implementationrequirements.

Data processing system 902, 904 is representative of any electronicdevice capable of executing machine-readable program instructions. Dataprocessing system 902, 904 may be representative of a smart phone, acomputer system, PDA, or other electronic devices. Examples of computingsystems, environments, and/or configurations that may represented bydata processing system 902, 904 include, but are not limited to,personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thickclients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputer systems, anddistributed cloud computing environments that include any of the abovesystems or devices.

User client computer 110A, 110B and network server 120 may includerespective sets of internal components 902 a,b and external components904 a,b illustrated in FIG. 9. Each of the sets of internal components902 include one or more processors 920, one or more computer-readableRAMs 922 and one or more computer-readable ROMs 924 on one or more buses926, and one or more operating systems 928 and one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 930. The one or moreoperating systems 928, group chat program 112A, 112B, and chatcollection program 114A, 114B in client computer 110A, 110B; and chatcollection program 114C in network server 120 are stored on one or moreof the respective computer-readable tangible storage devices 930 forexecution by one or more of the respective processors 920 via one ormore of the respective RAMs 922 (which typically include cache memory).In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, each of the computer-readabletangible storage devices 930 is a magnetic disk storage device of aninternal hard drive. Alternatively, each of the computer-readabletangible storage devices 930 is a semiconductor storage device such asROM 924, EPROM, flash memory or any other computer-readable tangiblestorage device that can store a computer program and digitalinformation.

Each set of internal components 902 a,b also includes a R/W drive orinterface 932 to read from and write to one or more portablecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 938 such as a CD-ROM, DVD,memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk orsemiconductor storage device. A software program, such as group chatprogram 112A, 112B and chat collection program 114A, 114B, 114C can bestored on one or more of the respective portable computer-readabletangible storage devices 938, read via the respective R/W drive orinterface 932 and loaded into the respective hard drive 930.

Each set of internal components 902 a,b also includes network adaptersor interfaces 936 such as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless Wi-Fiinterface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired orwireless communication links. Group chat program 112A, 112B and chatcollection program 114A, 114B in client computer 110A, 110B and chatcollection program 114C in network server 120 can be downloaded toclient computer 110A, 110B and network server 120 from an externalcomputer via a network (for example, the Internet, a local area networkor other, wide area network) and respective network adapters orinterfaces 936. From the network adapters or interfaces 936, group chatprogram 112A, 112B and chat collection program 114A, 114B in clientcomputer 110A, 110B and chat collection program 114C in network server120 are loaded into the respective hard drive 930. The network maycomprise copper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers,firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.

Each of the sets of external components 904 a,b can include a computerdisplay monitor 944, a keyboard 942, and a computer mouse 934. Externalcomponents 904 a,b can also include touch screens, virtual keyboards,touch pads, pointing devices, and other human interface devices. Each ofthe sets of internal components 902 a,b also includes device drivers 940to interface to computer display monitor 944, keyboard 942, and computermouse 934. The device drivers 940, R/W drive or interface 932 andnetwork adapter or interface 936 comprise hardware and software (storedin storage device 930 and/or ROM 924).

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrative cloud computing environment 1000is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 1000 comprises one ormore cloud computing nodes 100 with which local computing devices usedby cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant(PDA) or cellular telephone 1000A, desktop computer 1000B, laptopcomputer 1000C, and/or automobile computer system 1000N may communicate.Nodes 100 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (notshown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such asPrivate, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove,or a combination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment 1000to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for whicha cloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a localcomputing device. It is understood that the types of computing devices1000A-N shown in FIG. 10 are intended to be illustrative only and thatcomputing nodes 100 and cloud computing environment 1000 can communicatewith any type of computerized device over any type of network and/ornetwork addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 11, a set of functional abstraction layers 1100provided by cloud computing environment 1000 (FIG. 10) is shown. Itshould be understood in advance that the components, layers, andfunctions shown in FIG. 11 are intended to be illustrative only andembodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. As depicted, thefollowing layers and corresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and collecting group chat messages 96.Collected group chat messages may be stored within message tablesaccording to preconfigured categories and used to display specific groupchat history in a newly create private chat session between two or morechat participants.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A processor-implemented method for collecting aplurality of online group chat messages, the method comprising:receiving, by a processor, a message associated with an online groupchat session between a plurality of chat participants; determining thereceived message satisfies at least one of a plurality of messagecollection rules; recording the received message to at least one of aplurality of message tables based on each of the plurality of chatparticipants mentioned in the received message; determining a first chatparticipant within the plurality of chat participants chooses to open aprivate chat session with at least one second chat participant withinthe plurality of chat participants; identifying a plurality of recordedmessages within the plurality of message tables associated with the atleast one second chat participant; and displaying the plurality ofidentified recorded messages in a private chat session sub-window. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the plurality of recordedmessages includes identifying the plurality of recorded messages inwhich the at least one second chat participant mentions the first chatparticipant.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the pluralityof identified messages includes categorizing the plurality of identifiedmessages based on at least one of a plurality of timestamp informationand a message posting chat participant.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of message collection rules includes at least oneof a plurality of messages that include a user screen name and aplurality of messages that include a user actual given name.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the plurality of message tables includes aplurality of sub-tables associated with at least one of each of theplurality of chat participants and a plurality of timestamp information.6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a first chat participantchooses to open a private chat session with at least one second chatparticipant includes automatically sending a private chat sessioninvitation to the at least one second chat participant.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: displaying the recorded message in a groupchat session window.
 8. A computer system for collecting a plurality ofonline group chat messages, the computer system comprising: one or moreprocessors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage medium, and program instructionsstored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium forexecution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least oneof the one or more memories, wherein the computer system is capable ofperforming a method comprising: receiving, by a processor, a messageassociated with an online group chat session between a plurality of chatparticipants; determining the received message satisfies at least one ofa plurality of message collection rules; recording the received messageto at least one of a plurality of message tables based on each of theplurality of chat participants mentioned in the received message;determining a first chat participant within the plurality of chatparticipants chooses to open a private chat session with at least onesecond chat participant within the plurality of chat participants;identifying a plurality of recorded messages within the plurality ofmessage tables associated with the at least one second chat participant;and displaying the plurality of identified recorded messages in aprivate chat session sub-window.
 9. The computer system of claim 8,wherein identifying the plurality of recorded messages includesidentifying the plurality of recorded messages in which the at least onesecond chat participant mentions the first chat participant.
 10. Thecomputer system of claim 8, wherein displaying the plurality ofidentified messages includes categorizing the plurality of identifiedmessages based on at least one of a plurality of timestamp informationand a message posting chat participant.
 11. The computer system of claim8, wherein the plurality of message collection rules includes at leastone of a plurality of messages that include a user screen name and aplurality of messages that include a user actual given name.
 12. Thecomputer system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of message tablesincludes a plurality of sub-tables associated with at least one of eachof the plurality of chat participants and a plurality of timestampinformation.
 13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein determining afirst chat participant chooses to open a private chat session with atleast one second chat participant includes automatically sending aprivate chat session invitation to the at least one second chatparticipant.
 14. The computer system of claim 8, further comprising:displaying the recorded message in a group chat session window.
 15. Acomputer program product for collecting a plurality of online group chatmessages, the computer program product comprising: one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage medium and program instructionsstored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium, theprogram instructions executable by a processor, the program instructionscomprising: program instructions to receive, by a processor, a messageassociated with an online group chat session between a plurality of chatparticipants; program instructions to determine the received messagesatisfies at least one of a plurality of message collection rules;program instructions to record the received message to at least one of aplurality of message tables based on each of the plurality of chatparticipants mentioned in the received message; program instructions todetermine a first chat participant within the plurality of chatparticipants chooses to open a private chat session with at least onesecond chat participant within the plurality of chat participants;program instructions to identify a plurality of recorded messages withinthe plurality of message tables associated with the at least one secondchat participant; and program instructions to display the plurality ofidentified recorded messages in a private chat session sub-window. 16.The computer program product of claim 15, wherein identifying theplurality of recorded messages includes identifying the plurality ofrecorded messages in which the at least one second chat participantmentions the first chat participant.
 17. The computer program product ofclaim 15, wherein displaying the plurality of identified messagesincludes categorizing the plurality of identified messages based on atleast one of a plurality of timestamp information and a message postingchat participant.
 18. The computer program product of claim 15, whereinthe plurality of message collection rules includes at least one of aplurality of messages that include a user screen name and a plurality ofmessages that include a user actual given name.
 19. The computer programproduct of claim 15, wherein the plurality of message tables includes aplurality of sub-tables associated with at least one of each of theplurality of chat participants and a plurality of timestamp information.20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein determining afirst chat participant chooses to open a private chat session with atleast one second chat participant includes automatically sending aprivate chat session invitation to the at least one second chatparticipant.